Definition bearing
Etymology 1
From Middle English beringe, berynge, berende, berande, berand, from Old English berende (“bearing; fruitful”) (also as synonym Old English bǣrende), from Proto-Germanic *berandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *beraną (“to bear; carry”), equivalent to bear + -ing.
Verb
bearing
- present participle of bear
Adjective
bearing (not comparable)
- (in combination) That bears (some specified thing).
- Of a beam, column, or other device, carrying weight or load.
Etymology 2
From Middle English bering, beringe, berynge, equivalent to bear + -ing.
Noun
bearing (plural bearings)
- A mechanical device that supports another part and/or reduces friction.
- (navigation, nautical) The horizontal angle between the direction of an object and another object, or between it and that of true north; a heading or direction.
- Relevance; a relationship or connection.
- One's posture, demeanor, or manner.
- (in the plural) Direction or relative position.
- (architecture) That part of any member of a building which rests upon its supports.
- (architecture) The portion of a support on which anything rests.
- (architecture, proscribed) The unsupported span.
- (heraldry) Any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or coat of arms.